Drunk in its stale airFor two hundred years.Fettered in mind and body,The soul, the safe escape

To let me breathe the criesOf my heart singingTears of mel-an-choly.

The tears flow free todayWashing the stains of bloodAnd sweat in brotherhood.

Raise the curtain then an'Let the world look inOn this promised land --We breathe free today.... almost.

--- Arshad M. Khan

We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.--- Native American proverb

January 16, 2015

Mr. President: The EU depends on Russia for 25% of its gas supplies, and therefore were reluctant to disturb the status quo in Ukraine. But "f*** the EU" said our intrepid envoy and a democratically elected government was toppled (not for the first time) at a cost in her own words of about $5 billion dollars. Then sanctions were imposed on Russia for its response with the Europeans again dragged along reluctantly. They are paying the price in export losses and now in the gas supply cut. Part of the reason why this week the IMF chief predicted a glum economic future for the EU.

Russia claims Ukraine is siphoning off gas intended for Europe without paying for it -- an old problem, Ukraine is broke. However, now with the worst of the winter upon Europe, Russia has decided to act. The British "Daily Mail" quotes Valentin Zemlyansky of Naftogas, the Ukrainian gas company, saying the supply has been cut 60% from 221 million cubic meters per 24 hours to 92 million. As a consequence oil and gas prices have shot up, which of course helps the Russian economy.

Six southern European countries now face a complete cut-off. Among them Bulgaria, visited by Mr. Kerry on his way to Paris to assure US assistance. Increasing the capacity of the nuclear power station being built by Westinghouse or the promise of future gas supplies from the US cannot solve their immediate problem.

Starting with the classic example from the days of the limelight, free speech has limits: thus shouting fire in a packed theater, or, in our times, inciting racial violence. This week Pope Francis interviewed on his way to the Philippines reminded us of limits to freedom of expression. Asked about the Charlie Hebdo, he responded, "There is a limit. Every religion has its dignity."

Then gesturing towards the adjacent Alberto Gaspari, who organizes papal travel, he went on, "If my good friend Dr. Gaspari says a curse word against my mother, he can expect a punch. It's normal. It's normal. You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others." With the right to free speech comes the responsibility to remember "the common good", he added. A lesson for the likes of Bill Maher and Sam Harris who under the guise of atheism launch vituperative attacks against one particular religion.

For those of us not too familiar with the history, Charlie Hebdo is emerging as not entirely a haven for free speech. "He'll go a long way in life, that little lad," were the words that got 80-year old Maruice Sinet fired from the magazine. The reference was to the engagement of Sarkozy's son to Jewish heiress Jessica Sebaoun-Darty and to a rumor that he was converting to Judaism. Mr. Sinet had been with the magazine for 20 years and sued the magazine successfully for $40,000 euros in 2009. No such luck for our own Helen Thomas turfed out for a sentence about the European Jews who settled Israel. She had served for many decades more than 20 years. Free speech seems to be confined to ideas we agree with, and against groups we have been made to dislike. The ACLU remains a notable exception in our society.

Journalists practice self-censorship to preserve careers and livelihood and suffer when they forget. Just three days ago at the Charlie Hebdo rally in Paris, BBC reporter Tim Wilcox faced calls to resign when he noted Palestinian suffering in speaking to a woman marcher who expressed fears Jews were being persecuted.

All of our highly charged conflicts may turn out to be small potatoes in comparison with what we are doing to the planet. NASA and NOAA scientists report 2014 was the hottest year on record, 0.07F (0.04C) higher than the previous record. It was also the 38th consecutive year of above average temperatures, and high time we worked to save our little blue marble for future generations. Rightly done it might even unite the human race in a common purpose.